Beverage Container Interlocking Carrier

ABSTRACT

A beverage container interlocking carrier (BCIC) utilizing a container member that is preferably made of plastic, on which beverage containers are placed. The container member is folded upward following contours of the beverage containers. The beverage containers are secured within the BCIC by inserting each beverage neck, with or without a cap, into one of a plurality of container orifices on the container member. After the BCIC is used to package, transport and/or store beverage containers, the container member can be unfolded and the empty beverage containers removed and inserted into and maintained within the orifices prior to recycling. A grasping member allows a folded or unfolded container member to be carried by hand. Or, at least one strap that secures side edges of the BCIC together can be used as a grasping member. Indicia is placed on the container member and is visible on a folded or unfolded BCIC.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention generally pertains to carrying apparatuses, and moreparticularly to a beverage container interlocking carrier that is foldedand secured around a group of beverage containers, and includesadvertising or other indicia on the carrier.

BACKGROUND ART

One of the most ubiquitous consumer items available today is a beverage,particularly beverage water. There are billions of beveragesmanufactured, purchased and consumed throughout the world each year.

Typically, beverage containers, are packaged and sold either in aplastic wrapping that envelopes a group of beverage containers, or aplastic holder that is located at the top of a group of beveragecontainers. The particularly packaging depends on the number of beveragecontainers grouped together. The plastic wrapping typical used forgroups of twelve, twenty-four, or thirty-five, and the holder for groupsof six or less.

While these packaging methods have been in use for a long time and areeffective, there are problems associated with their use. One problem isthat the packaging is not typically conducive to recycling, whichproduces additional material that eventually ends up in landfills. Whenin these packages, it can be difficult to extricate beverages, andespecially for the wrapping. Once the wrapping is cut or otherwise tornopen, the wrapping loses its structural integrity and the beverageswithin are not maintained in a tight group.

Additionally, there is the well-known problem that the six or lessbeverage holders often end up in oceans or other bodies of water, wherefish/mammals accidentally get caught within the holder and/or ingestthese foreign objects and succumb to injury and/or death.

What is needed is a new, improved method of packaging, storing andtransporting beverage beverages, both for manufacturers and consumers.Optimally, an improved beverage carrier would allow any number ofbeverages to be easily secured together in a group, packaged for saleand transportation, and for end-use by a consumer. A beverage carrierthat is easy to use by anyone and facilitates the recycling of emptybeverages, and could even be recycled along with the beverages wouldprovide a solution to the disposal problem.

Also, a means by which advertising could be visible on thepackaging/carrier would provide beverage manufacturers or other anincentive as a result of new/increased service(s) of revenue. Consumerscould also benefit from advertising by the inclusion of coups or othermoney-saving or information advertising.

A search of the prior art did not disclose any literature or patentsthat read directly on the claims of the instant invention. However, thefollowing U.S. patents are considered related:

PATENT NO. INVENTOR ISSUED application Ser. No. 15/788,180 Patton FilingDate: Oct. 19, 2017 4,022,363 Eliassen May 10, 1977 4,651,873Stolcenberg, et al Jan. 17, 1989 5,267,427 Peterson, et al Dec. 7,19935,501,322 Drebushenko Mar. 26, 1996 2010/0163445 Egber Jul. 1, 2010

The application Ser. No. 15/788,180 for Tommy Patton discloses a plasticbottle retaining apparatus and advertisings platform that is used tocaptively hold at least one, and preferably multiple, plastic beveragebottles and includes advertising or promotional indicia printed thereon.The PBRAAP has a structure which is a strip or a panel which can beresilient and disposable, and have at least one and typically multiple,openings that are each dimensioned to allow a plastic bottle to beinserted and maintained within, or removed from, the opening. When abottle is inserted into an opening, the PBRAAP with the retained bottlecan be packaged, stored, transported or displayed.

The U.S. Pat. No. 4,022,363 patent discloses a device for carrying andstoring beverages. The device has a older frame utilizing a series ofparallel rails inside the frame. The rails form between them uniformgaps and the edges of the rails have edge portions which yield uponintroduction of a beverage neck and then squeeze the neck into a lockingarrangement when the beverage is moved in a direction perpendicular tothe plane defined by the holder.

The U.S. Pat. No. 4,651,873 patent discloses a beverage container holderhaving a unitary body with apertures therein adapted to receivecontainers. A handle is also included for easy hand carrying.

The U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,427 patent discloses a recycling containermember for holding, storing, toting and returning recyclable beveragecontainers. The container member has a plurality of collar holesdistributed uniformly and unilinearly along the container member. Thecollar holes have a diameter slightly larger than the outside diameterof a common beverage container neck and have radial slits formingcollars which enable a beverage neck flange to be engaged in thecontainer member. The container member is used for transporting engagedbeverage containers and can be recycled with the beverages. Thecontainer member is loaded into a dispenser which provides means ofstoring the container member. The dispenser also holds the containermember securely so that a beverage may be engaged in the containermember. The dispenser also provides an engagement mechanism, whichaligns a collar holed in the container member with the collar opening ofthe dispenser and prevents the container member from uncontrolled travelout of the dispenser and a disengagement mechanism which meters thetravel of the container member.

The U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,322 patent discloses a carrier and storage unityfor beverage beverages. A planar member has a plurality of cup-shapedrecesses located in a predetermined array across its surface. Each ofthe recesses has a bottom wall which is sealed about its periphery tothe circular wall of the recess. The recesses have a size andconfigurations adapted to receive and grip the neck of the beveragebeverages, capturing the beverage insecure retention in the carrier andclosing the neck of the beverage.

The 2010/0163445 publication discloses a beverage holder having a firstbeverage-holding surface adapted to hold a plurality of beverages at afirst orientation, and a second beverage-holding surface adapted to holda second plurality of beverages at a second orientation. Eachbeverage-holding surface includes an aperture adapted to receive a capend of each beverage, and a slot in communication with the aperture andadapted to support a beverage neck of each of the beverages.

For background purposes and indicative of the art to which the inventionrelates, reference may be made to the following remaining patents foundin the patent search.

PATENT NO. INVENTOR ISSUED 2,419,040 Stephanian Apr. 15, 1947 3,003,805Glazer Oct. 10, 1961 3,633,962 Erickson Jan. 11, 1972 4,232,807 Beier,et al Nov. 11, 1980 4,735,313 Schoenberg Apr. 5, 1988 4,798,286Muscanelli Jan. 17, 1989 5,306,060 Borg Apr. 26, 1994 5,735,562 BorgApr. 7, 1998 6,129,397 Borg Oct. 10, 2000 7,823,943 Borg Nov. 2, 20102002/0175103 Kraxner Nov. 28, 2002

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

A beverage container interlocking carrier (BCIC) that allows a group ofbeverage containers, to be easily carried by hand and transported to adesired location. The BCIC is a substantially flat container member,preferably plastic, on which a group of beverage containers is placed onan inner surface. The container member is then folded upwards, followingthe contours of the group of beverage containers. A grasping member withan open section is located at a first section and second side of thecontainer member. Once the container member is folded around the groupof beverage containers the two sides of the grasping member interfaceeither on the top of the group of beverage containers or on a side ofthis group of beverage containers. To secure the two sides of thegrasping members together attachment means can be utilized.

Located on the container member is at least one container orifice eachof which is dimensioned to allow a beverage container, with or without acap, to be inserted into the container orifice, thereby maintaining eachbeverage container within the folded container member. After the BCIC isused to transport a group of beverage containers, especially beveragecontainers containing a beverage, and the beverage containers have beenremoved for consumption, the container member can be replaced in theoriginal flat orientation and the empty beverage containers insertedinto the container orifices. The container member with empty beveragecontainers can then be stored and/or transported, such as to a recyclingfacility. It should be noted that the BCIC is particularly designed toallow the container member with empty beverage containers to be placedwithin a proprietary machine that facilitates the removal and crushingof the empty beverage containers for further recycling.

To increase the functionality of the BCIC, advertising or other indiciacan be placed on the outer surface of the container member, therebyallowing the indicia to be visible when the container member is foldedaround a group of beverage containers. The indicia is also visible onthe container member when the container member is flat and used to storeor transport empty beverage containers. The indicia can be applied ontothe container member by various means including printing, etching,painting, adhesive or other methods.

Also, the BCIC can utilize various types of container memberconfigurations to secure the open side edges of the BCIC when the BCICis configured as a carrier. Typically, at least one container memberextending from a side edge of the BCIC is inserted into a correspondingslot on an opposing side edge, thereby securing the opposite edgestogether.

In view of the above disclosure, the primary object of the invention isto provide a beverage container interlocking carrier that allows full orempty beverage containers to be easily stored or transported, and alsoincludes advertising or other indicia.

In addition to the primary object, it is also an object of the inventionto provide a beverage container interlocking carrier that:

-   -   is easy to use by adults and children,    -   can be used with various types, sizes and shapes of beverage        containers,    -   is durable and long-lasting,    -   is easy and economical to manufacture,    -   can be made of a variety of materials,    -   when made of plastic can be recycled along with empty beverage        containers,    -   can be used with standard water beverages and larger sport drink        beverage containers, and    -   is cost effective from both a manufacturer's and consumer's        point of view.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the subsequent detailed description of thepreferred embodiment and the appended claims taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an orthographic view showing a beverage container interlockingcarrier (BCIC) enclosing a group of six-beverage containers with a firstend and a second end of a container member interlocked with at least onebeverage container via a container orifice on the top surface of theBCIC, and the side edges secured together by two horizontal strap andone vertical strap that are configured as a grasping member.

FIG. 2 is an orthographic view showing the BCIC having a containermember folded around a group of beverage containers with two ends of thecontainer member terminating on the sides of the BCIC and beveragecontainers inserted into containers orifices, and a single strap on theopen sides of the BCIC, the strap functioning as a grasping member tolife or carry the BCIC.

FIG. 3 is an orthographic view showing the BCIC having the containermember folded around a group of beverage containers with two ends of thecontainers member terminating on the sides of the BCIC, and beveragecontainers inserted into container orifices, and two horizontal strapsand one vertical strap on the open sides of the BCIC the strapsfunctioning as a grasping member to lift or carry the BCIC.

FIG. 4 is an orthographic view showing the BCIC with fifty containersorifices, and a first end of the container member on a side of the BCICand the other second end extending down pat the opposing side, prior tobeing folded up around the bottom of the group of beverage containersand over the first end.

FIG. 5 is an orthography view showing the BCIC with fifty containersorifices advertising indicia and a first end of the container member ona side of the BCIC and the other second end having been folded down andthen up and around the bottom of a group of beverage containers, priorto being folded on top of the first end.

FIG. 6 is an orthographic view showing the BCIC having the containermember folded around a group of beverage containers with the two ends ofthe container member terminating on top of the group of beveragecontainers, and the two horizontal and one vertical strap that functionas a grasping member.

FIG. 7 is an orthographic view showing the BCIC enclosing a group ofsix-beverage containers with side edges secured together by a strap anda grasping member extending upward.

FIG. 8 is an elevational view showing the BCIC enclosing a group ofsix-beverage containers and having a first design of multiple openingsand areas for advertising for other indicia.

FIG. 9 is an elevational front view showing the BCIC enclosing a groupof six-beverage containers and having a first design of multipleopenings and areas for advertising or other indicia.

FIG. 10 is an elevational side view showing the BCIC enclosing a groupof six-beverage containers.

FIG. 11 is an orthographic view showing the BCIC enclosing a group ofsix-beverage containers, with a first end of a container memberinterlocked with at least one beverage container via a container orificeon the upper surface of the BCIC, and the side edges secured together bya trap that is configured as a grasping member.

FIG. 12 is an orthographic view showing the BCIC enclosing a group oftwelve-beverage containers and having the first design of the containerorifice and an area for advertising or other indicia.

FIG. 13 is an elevational view showing the BCIC enclosing a group oftwelve-beverage containers and having the first design of the containerorifice with a grasping member and an area for advertising or otherindicia.

FIG. 14 is an orthographic view showing the BCIC for six-beveragecontainers, having a second design of the container orifice.

FIG. 15 is an orthographic view showing the BCIC enclosing a group ofsix-beverage containers with the two straps secured together, one strapon each side, and having multiple modified cross container orifices andfour-sided container orifices.

FIG. 16 is an orthographic view showing the BCIC enclosing a group ofsix-beverage containers with the side straps on each side, multipleT-shaped container orifices, multiple four-sided container orifices,advertising indicia, and a strap surrounding the beverage containerswithin the BCIC.

FIG. 17 is an orthographic view showing the BCIC in an upright positionwithout beverage containers, and a strap securing the two sides.

FIG. 18 is an orthographic view showing the BCIC in an upright positionwithout beverage containers, and a strap securing the two sides, and aliner placed within the BCIC.

FIG. 19 is an orthographic view showing two BCICs each enclosing sixbeverage containers, having the first design of the container orificesand secured together by straps inserted into slots on the side edges,and two carrier straps inserted through side edge slots, therebysecuring the two BCICs together.

FIG. 20 is an orthographic view showing two BCIC each enclosing sixbeverage containers, each having the second design of the containerorifices and secured together by straps inserted into slots on the sideedges, and two carrier straps inserted through side edge slots, therebysecuring the two BCICs together.

FIG. 21 is an orthographic view showing the BCIC with attachment tubesthat are dimensioned to side into each other at each corner for securingmultiple BCICs together.

FIG. 22 is an orthographic view showing the BCIC with adhesive beadsthat secure enclosed beverage containers within the BCIC.

FIG. 23 is an orthographic view showing the BCIC with strap tubes ateach corner that are dimensioned to accept a strap which secures showingmultiple BCICs together.

FIG. 24 is an orthographic view showing the BCIC secured together by anadhesive between the two sides of the grasping member, and the beveragecontainers secured by adhesive on each container's lower surface.

FIG. 25 is a detail view showing the container orifices elongated as thecontainer member is folded around the beverage container and the orificesegment forceably interlocked with the beverage container neck and neckring.

FIG. 26 is a detail view showing a lower surface of a beverage containerlocated within a cavity formed on the container member.

FIG. 27 is an orthographic view showing the BCIC enclosing a group oftwelve-beverage containers with a first end and a second end of acontainer member interlocked with at least one beverage container via acontainer orifice on the upper surface of the BCIC, and the side edgessecured together by two straps that are configured with an upper strapas a grasping member and a lower strap to securely maintain the bottleswithin the BCIC.

FIG. 28 is an elevational side view showing a scanning device reading abar code on beverage containers inserted into the BVIC, or countingbeverage containers inserted into the BCIC.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms thatdisclose a preferred embodiment of a beverage container interlockingcarrier (BCIC) 10. There are various conventional methods of packagingand/or carrying beverage containers. Two of the most common methods area plastic holder that is placed on a group of beverage containers andholds the beverage containers by the necks, or a plastic wrapping thatencloses a group of beverage containers. The holder on the necks istypically used to hold groups of six beverage containers or less, andthe plastic wrapping is used for groups of twelve, twenty-four orthirty-five beverage containers.

While these two methods do function as intended, there are problemsassociated with their use. The beverage container are removed from theholder or wrapping, which is then usually discarded to end up in alandfill. Also, the holder can often end up in oceans which presentsserious danger to fish and other aquatic life.

The BCIC 10, as shown in FIGS. 1-28, provides an alternate method ofpackaging and carrying beverage containers and provides a solution tothe problems associated with the other conventional methods. It must benoted that the BCIC 10 can hold or enclose any number of full or emptybeverage containers, either in a flat, open orientation (which isparticularly effective for recycling) or in an upward-folded, carrierorientation. The number of beverage containers that are held or enclosedcan vary.

The BCIC's 10 first orifice design configuration, as shown in FIGS. 2,7-9, 14-16, 22 and 23, includes a substantially flat container member 12with an outer surface 14, an inner surface 16, a first end 18, a secondend 20, a first edge 22 and a second edge 24. The container member 12can be made of various materials such a plastic, rubber, cardboard, or acomposite material, with plastic preferred. As shown in FIGS. 2, 7-9,14-16, 22 and 23, extending through the container member 12 and linearlypositioned equidistant from each other, are the container orifices 26.Each container orifice 26 has at least one segment 30 that extends intothe center orifice 26, and a slice 32 that extends from the containerorifice 26. Additionally, each slice 32 can also have a cutline 34located perpendicular to and adjacent an outer end of each slice 32, asshown in FIGS. 1-4, 6-21. This proprietary container orifice 26 designfacilitates the insertion of a beverage container neck, with or withouta cap 126, into a container orifice, thereby securing the beveragecontainer 64 onto the container member 12.

There are multiple shapes and designs of the container orifice 26 thatcan be used with efficacy. Each orifice has preferably triangular shapedsegments 30 that extend inward towards the center of the containerorifice and slices 32 that extend outward from the edges of thecontainer orifice. The cutlines 34 are perpendicularly located adjacenta distal end of each slice, or each container orifice can be configuredsimilar to the first design but does not have the cutouts. There arealso other orifices designs which will be disclosed supra.

As shown in FIGS. 7-10 and 12-24, extending from the container member's12 first end 18 is a grasping member with a side having an open section.Extending from the container member's 12 second end 20 is a graspingmember with a side having an open section. The two sides are equallyshaped and sized. This allows the grasping handle sides to interfacewith each other, effectively creating a single grasping member.

As shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 10-12 and 14-16, when the container member 12 isfolded upward around contours of a group of beverage containers 124 thatare placed on the container member, folded sections 52 are created withthe beverage containers 124 inserted into the container orifices and thetwo sides of the grasping member interfacing. It should be noted thatthe most important proprietary characteristic of the BCIC 10 is theinterlocking function, as best shown in FIG. 20. When a beveragecontainer is placed on the container member, the lower surface 128 ofthe beverage container 124 rests within a cavity 136, as shown in FIG.21. When the two ends of the container member 12 are folded upwardaround the beverage containers, the neck 130 of each beverage containeris inserted into the container orifice 26. As the container member 12continues folding, the container orifice 26 is elongated into anelliptical shape 140 with the at least one segment 30 interfacing with aneck ring 132 below the cap 126, as best shown in FIG. 25. Theelongation creates pressure that causes the segment 30 to interlock withthe neck and ring. A result, the beverage container 124 is maintainedwithin the BCIC with maximum securement.

Also when the container member 12 is folded around a group of beveragecontainers 124, the grasping member can be located at the substantialcenter above the group of beverage containers, as shown in FIGS. 2, 8,10, 12, 14-16 and 19-24, or alternately the grasping member can belocated on a side of a group of beverage containers (not shown). Ifdesired, attachment means 50 can be utilized to secure the two edges ofthe gasping member together. The attachment means are preferablynon-permanent such as an adhesive 66 double-sided tape, male and femaledetents, or at least one clip. As shown in FIG. 24, the adhesive 66 canalso be used to secure the folded container member together, and theadhesive 66 can be placed on the lower surface 128 of each beveragecontainer 124 to secure the beverage container within the BCIC 10.

Forty container orifices 26 allows the insertion and securement of sixbeverage containers to create a six-beverage container interlockingcarrier 52 when the container member is folded around the group ofsix-beverage containers, or forty beverage containers when the containermember 12 is in an open, flat orientation.

To increase the functionality of the BCIC 10, the container member canalso be used. Indicia 60 is placed on the outer surface 14 of thecontainer member 12, as shown in FIGS. 2, 5, 11-14 and 16, such thatwhen the container member is folded around a group of beveragecontainers 64, the indicia 60 is clearly visible. The indicia 60 can beany words and/or images and can be applied onto the container member 12by various means including printing, etching, or a sticker held byadhesive. When the container member is made of a transparent material,the indicia can be placed on the inner surface viewable through thematerial. The amount of space allocated for indicia 60 is determined bythe number of container orifices. As shown in FIG. 27, an entire sidesection of the BCIC can be used for indicia when the container orificesare not present.

The second design configuration of the BCIC 10, as shown in FIGS. 11-13,is essentially the same as the first design configuration, except thesecond configuration has additional container orifices 26 whichfacilitate the insertion and securement of twelve beverage containers124 which creates a twelve beverage container interlocking carrier 54 orthe additional orifices can maintain the beverage containers when thecontainer member is in the open, flat orientation.

In addition to the basic designs of the BCIC 10 as disclosed above,other modifications can be made or features added to increase thefunctionality of the BCIC 10. Other shapes and styles of containerorifices can be utilized, including a four-sided container orifice 58with indented side edges to varying degrees and rounded corners, asshown in FIGS. 15-18; modified cross container orifice 104, as shown inFIGS. 2, 6-11-15, 17 and 18, with indented side and top edges to varyingdegrees and rounded corners; and a modified T-opening 106, as shown inFIGS. 16-20, that appears as a standard T-shape with indented edges androunded corners or a block T-shape with indented edges and roundedcorners.

In order to secure the open sides when the BCIC 10 is configured as acarrier, various designs and uses of straps can be utilized. As shown inFIG. 10, two opposing strap 70 pieces that extend from opposing sideedges of the BCIC are used. One piece has an end with truncatedtriangular tab 68 and the other piece has an end with a slot 72 that isdimensioned to accept and maintain the triangle tab. When the BCIC 10 isenclosing beverage containers, the ends of the two strap pieces arebrought together and the tab is inserted into the slot, thereby securingthe side edges of the BCIC 10 and the beverage containers within.

An additional design includes at least one non-attached/separate strap76 with one end having a truncated triangle tab 78 and extending fromthe opposite distal end 80, a row of triangular/downward pointing tabs82. Located adjacent the side edges of the BCIC are slots 84 that aredimensioned to accept and maintain the ends of the strap 76, which areinserted into one of the slots 84.

A further design, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20, includes at least oneintegrally attached strap 86 that extends from a side edge of the BCIC10. At a distal end 88 of the strap 86 is a row of triangular/downwardpointing tabs 90. Located adjacent a side edge of the BCIC 10 is atleast one slot 92 that is dimensioned to accept and maintain the end ofthe strap when the strap is inserted into the slot. As specificallyshown in FIGS. 19 and 20, the strap design can be effectively utilizedto secure multiple container members 12 together in a daisy-chain typearrangement.

An alternate depiction of a single strap 94 is shown in FIGS. 2, 16-18.A single, narrow strap 94 extending from a side edge of the BCIC isinserted into a slot 94 located near the bottom of the BCIC whenenclosing beverage containers 124. When using any of the strap designs,either one or two of the straps can be utilized as a grasping memberthat allows the BCIC to be lifted and/or carried by the strap 70, 76,86, 94. This capability is especially effective when the BCIC ismaintaining larger numbers of beverage containers particularly when thebeverage containers have a beverage within.

In another alternate design, as shown in FIGS. 2, 11 and 27, beveragecontainers 124 are placed on the container member 12, preferably withthe lower surface 128 of each beverage container resting within a cavity136 on the container member 12. The two ends of the container member arethen folded upward around the beverage containers 124, with eachbeverage container's neck entering the container orifice 26. Thecontainer member 12 is folded further, elongating the container orifice26 into an elliptical shape with the orifice's at least one segment 30circumventing the beverage container's neck 130 or a bottle cap 126. Theelongation of the orifice creates pressure that causes the segment 30 tointerlock with the beverage container neck and neck ring or bottle cap.The fully folded container member 12 lies substantially flat on theupper surface of the beverage container(s), with the container member 12secured in the flat configuration by the beverage container(s)interlocked within the container orifice(s), as shown in FIGS. 2 and 27.Removal of the beverage container(s) from the BCIC 10 is accomplished bypulling upward on a corner edge 28 of the container member. The upwardpulling actin releases the beverage container(s) from the containerorifice(s), and allows the container member 12 to be pulled off and awayfrom the beverage container(s). This alternate design is equallyeffective for use as a six-pack BCIC, as shown in FIG. 7, or as atwelve-pack BCIC, a shown in FIGS. 11 and 27. For lifting or carryingthis design of the BCIC 10, the strap is optimally used as a graspingmember, as previously disclosed. If two straps are utilized, as shown inFIG. 27, the upper strap is utilized as a grasping member and the lowerstrap securely maintains the beverage containers within the BCIC 10.

In a further alternate design the BCIC 10 is configured with twenty-fiveor fifty container orifices 26 on the container member 12, as shown inFIGS. 3-6. To accommodate the fifty orifices, the fifty orifice carrier158, typically has an extended length compared to the previous designs.As a result of the extended length, the fifty orifice carrier 158 canenclose a group of beverage containers in two unique configurations.Other than the number of container orifices and the enclosingconfigurations, the twenty-five or fifty orifice carrier 158 have asubstantially same structure as the previous designs and each includesmost of the same structural and functional elements including asubstantially flat container member having an outer surface, an innersurface, a first end, a second end, a first edge and a second edge. Allconfigurations of the twenty-five or fifty orifice carrier 158 have afirst horizontal strap 160 extending from the first edge to the secondedge across the open side of the carrier, a second horizontal strap 162extending from the first edge to the second edge and located below thefirst horizontal strap 160, and a vertical strap 164 extending from thesubstantial center of the first horizontal strap 160 to the substantialcenter of the second strap horizontal strap 162. The horizontal straps160, 162 are secured to opposed side edges and all of the strap canfunction as a grasping member(s) 166, as shown in FIGS. 3-6, to allow aperson to grasp and then lift and carry the BCIC 10. Also, the straps160, 162, 164 provide securement of the beverage containers within theBCIC 10.

The first unique configuration of the twenty-five or fifty orificecarrier 158 has the neck of each beverage container extending upwardthrough one of the container orifices, wherein the container member isplaced on top of a group of beverage containers with the first end ofthe container member folded downward onto a first side of the group ofbeverage containers. The second end of the container member extendsdownward past an opposite second side of the group of beveragecontainers The second end is folded across a lower surface of the groupof beverage containers and then upward onto the first side such that thesecond end is configured on top of the first end, as shown in FIGS. 2and 3, and the attachment means secure the second end.

In a second design configuration of the twenty-five or fifty orificecarrier the neck of each beverage container extends upward through oneof the container orifices. The container member is placed on top of agroup of beverage containers with the first end of the container memberfolded downward onto a first side of the group of beverage containers.The second end of the container member extends downward past an oppositesecond side of the group of beverage containers. The second end isfolded across a lower surface of the group of beverage containers andthen upward across the first side, and then folded downward onto anupper surface such that the second end is configured on top of the firstend, as shown in FIG. 26, and attachment means secure the second end.

A third unique configuration of the twenty-five or fifty orifice carrierhas the first end of the container member folded upward and over ontothe beverage container necks with each container neck inserted into acontainer orifice, and then downward onto a second side of the carrier.The second end extends upward and is then folded downward across thepreviously folded first end and terminates at a first side of thecarrier, opposite the second side, and the attachment means secure thesecond end.

As with the previous designs of the BCIC 10, the twenty-five or fiftyorifice carriers 158 are configured to provide space 62 for advertisingindicia 60 or other indicia 60. The attachment means 174 for securingthe second ends of the container member 12, as shown in FIGS. 3-6, anadhesive, at least one snap closer, at least one male and female detent,a tab and slot, a hook and loop fastener, at least one clip, at leastone hook, and at least one plastic interlocking latch. To increase thefunctionality of the twenty-five or fifty orifice carriers 158, agrasping opening 176 can be located adjacent the first end and secondend, as shown in FIG. 3. The grasping opening 176 is typically utilizedin lieu of the grasping member(s) 166 created by the strap 160, 162, 164and particularly when the BCIC 10 is not used as an enclosing carrierbut rather in a flat configuration to carry beverage container forrecycling or other purposes.

It should be noted that the use of fifty container orifices allows thetotal number of beverage containers on the flat configuration containermember to be quickly and easily determined. This ability significantlyincreases the BCIC 10 functionality when utilized for recycling and canbe considered a de facto requirement as a mandatory count of beveragecontainers rather than by weighing the beverage containers.

In yet another alternate design, the BCIC 10 is configured to encloseeight beverage containers 170, as shown in FIG. 1. Other than theenclosing of eight beverage containers the structure and functionality,including all of the various configurations, is the same as the BCIC 10for six or twelve beverage containers. It is anticipated that the eightbeverage container carrier 170 could become widely used to package,transport and sell beverages.

Other additions and modifications include a liner 108, as shown in FIG.18. The liner 108 (which is preferably a bag made of plastic or anothermaterial) allows a person to carry a variety of items in the BCIC 10. Inorder to secure the beverage containers 124 themselves within the BCIC10, a beverage container strap 98, as shown in FIG. 16, can be utilized.The beverage container strap 98 is wrapped around the beveragecontainers themselves. When used in combination with one of the sideedge securement straps, the beverage container strap 98 provides asignificant increase in the maintaining the beverage containers withinthe BCIC 10. Also, an adhesive bead 112, as shown in FIGS. 21-23, can beplaced beneath or on the side of each beverage container 124 to securethe beverage containers within the BCIC 10.

It could be advantageous to secure multiple BCICs 10 together forstorage or transportation. To facilitate the securement of multipleBCICs 10 there are different means that can be used. First, as shown inFIG. 21, an attachment tube 110 can be placed at each corner of the BCIC10. The tubes 110 are designed such that a lower portion of the tube canslide down into the upper portion, thereby allowing the corner of oneBCIC to be secured to the corner of another BCIC 10. Second, as shown inFIG. 20, a carrier strap 118 is inserted through multiple slots 120located around the BCIC. When two or more BCICs are placed next to eachother, a single carrier strap 118 can be inserted through sequentialslots on each of the BCICs, thereby securing the BCICs together.

In conclusion it must be noted that when the container member 12 is usedin an open, flat orientation to carry empty or full beverage containers,the beverage containers can be inserted from the top or inner surface 16or the bottom or other surface 14. Also, the BCIC container orifice 26can accept almost any size beverage container 124, with or without a cap126. This includes all types and sizes of water beverage containers aswell as larger beverage containers such as Gatorade™.

Also, the BCIC 10 can be utilized to quickly and accurately count thenumber of beverage containers within the BCIC or when the BCIC is in theunfolded, flat configuration, empty or full. Beverage container can becounted visually by a person, with or without the assistant of numericalindicators adjacent each container orifice, or a scanning device 174, asshown in FIG. 28, can be used to automate the scanning process Thisability to count the beverage containers is a significant improvementover weighting the beverage containers.

While the invention has been described in detail and pictorially shownin the accompanying drawings it is not to be limited to such details,since many changes and modification may be made to the invention withoutdeparting from the spirit and the scope thereof. Hence, it is describedto cover any and all modifications and forms which may come within thelanguage and scope of the claims.

1. A beverage container interlocking carrier (BCIC) comprising: asubstantially flat container member having: an outer surface, an innersurface, a first end, a second end, a first edge, a second edge, atleast one container orifice, a grasping member having: a first sideextending from the first end and having an open section, and a secondside extending from the second end and having an open section, thecontainer member is folded upward around contours of multiple beveragecontainers that are placed on the container member and the two sides ofthe grasping member interface.
 2. The BCIC of claim 1, wherein thecontainer member is made of a material that is selected from the groupconsisting of plastic, cardboard, paper, metal and composite material.3. The BCIC of claim 1, wherein the at least one container orifice isconfigured to allow the insertion/removal of a beverage container neckand cap, and is comprised of: at least one segment that extends into theorifice, and at least one slice that extends from the orifice.
 4. TheBCIC of claim 1, further comprising indicia on the outer surface of thecontainer member, the indicia selected from the group consisting ofadvertising, promotional, instructional and educational.
 5. The BCIC ofclaim 4, wherein the indicia is applied by means selected from the groupconsisting of printing, etching, and adhesion.
 6. The BCIC of claim 1,further comprising securing means for maintaining the folded containermember together, the securing means selected from the group consistingof adhesive, snap closure, male and female detents, interlock, clip,tape, hook and loop fastener, sliding rod through openings, buckle andstrap.
 7. A beverage container interlocking carrier (BCIC) comprising: asubstantially flat container member having: an outer surface, an innersurface, a first end, a second end, a first edge, a second edge, atleast one container orifice, a grasping member having: a first sideextending from the first end and having an open section, and a secondside extending from the second end and having an open section, thecontainer member is folded upward around contours of multiple beveragecontainers that are placed on the container member and the two sides ofthe grasping member interface.
 8. The BCIC of claim 7, wherein thecontainer member is made of a material that is selected from the groupconsisting of plastic, cardboard, paper, metal and composite material.9. The BCIC of claim 7, wherein the at least one container orifice isconfigured to allow the insertion/removal of a beverage container neckand cap, and is comprised of: at least one segment that extends into theorifice, and at least one slice that extends from the orifice.
 10. TheBCIC of claim 7, wherein the at least one container orifice isconfigured to allow the insertion/removal of a beverage container neckand cap, and is comprised of: at least one segment that extends into theorifice, at least one slice that extends from the perimeter edge of theorifice and is adjacent the slice and, a cutline that is adjacent adistal end of the slice, and that extends perpendicularly across theslice.
 11. The BCIC of claim 7, wherein the at least one containerorifice is positioned to provide space for advertising or other indiciaon the container member.
 12. The BCIC of claim 7, further comprising atleast one aperture positioned adjacent to and between each of the atleast one orifice, wherein the aperture comprises an outward perimeteredge curving that taper to a terminating edge, thereby creating astylized cross.
 13. The BCIC of claim 7, further comprising at least oneupper aperture positioned below the grasping member, wherein each upperaperture comprises a bottom first section with perimeter edges taperingoutward and a second section that extends across from a top termination,thereby creating a stylized T-shape or triangle.
 14. The BCIC of claim7, further comprising a plurality of cutouts in the two side edges ofthe container member wherein each cutout curves inward to a point, withthe curves creating a semi-circular shape section with multiple sectionsalong the container member edges.
 15. A beverage container interlockingcarrier (BCIC) comprising: a substantially flat container member having:an outer surface, an inner surface, a first end, a second end, a firstedge, a second edge, at least one container orifice, a grasping memberhaving: a first side extending from the first end and having an opensection, and a second side extending from the second end and having anopen section, the container member is folded upward around contours ofmultiple beverage containers that are placed on the container member andthe two sides of the grasping member interface.
 16. The BCIC of claim15, wherein the container member comprising indicia that is selectedfrom the group consisting of advertising, promotional, instructional andeducational.
 17. The BCIC of claim 15, wherein the indicia is applied bymeans selected from the group consisting of printing, etching andadhesion.
 18. The BCIC of claim 15, further comprising a container strapthat is placed around a group of beverage containers that are locatedwithin the BCIC, the container strap securing the containers together asa single body that is within or removed from the BCIC.
 19. The BCIC ofclaim 15, further comprising four side straps that extend outward fromeach side edge of the container member, wherein two of the straps, oneon each opposing side edge, include truncated-triangle shaped tabs on adistal end, and two straps, one on each opposing side edge, that arepositioned to interface with the triangle tabs and having at least oneslot that is dimensioned to accept and maintain the triangle shape tabs,wherein when the BCIC has beverage containers within, the side strapssecure open sides of the BCIC together.
 20. The BCIC of claim 15,further having four slots, with two slots correspondingly positioned oneach opposite side edge of the container member, and a securing strapcomprising a length of material with a truncated triangle shaped tab onone distal end and a row of triangle shaped tabs correspondinglypositioned and extending inward from the opposite distal end, whereinthe strap end with the single tab is inserted into one of the slots onthe container member side edge, and the strap edge with the series oftabs is inserted into one of the slots on the opposite side edge of thecontainer member, wherein when the BCIC has beverage containers within,the side straps secure open sides of the BCIC together.
 21. The BCIC ofclaim 23 further comprising two straps that are correspondinglypositioned on opposite side edges of the container member and have aseries of triangle shaped tabs, with a row of tabs on each side edgeextending outward from a distal end of the strap, whereincorrespondingly positioned on each opposite side edge of the containermember is a slot that is dimensioned to accept and maintain the triangletabs on each strap, wherein when the BCIC has beverage containerswithin, each strap is inserted into the corresponding slot, therebysecuring open sides of the BCIC.
 22. A beverage container interlockingcarrier (BCIC) comprising: a substantially flat container member having:an outer surface, an inner surface, a first end, a second end, a firstedge, a second edge, at least one container orifice, a grasping memberhaving: a first side extending from the first end and having an opensection, and a second side extending from the second end and having an °open section, the container member is folded upward around contours ofmultiple beverage containers that are placed on the container member andthe two sides of the grasping member interface.
 23. The BCIC of claim22, wherein the container member is made of a material that is selectedfrom the group consisting of plastic, cardboard, paper, metal andcomposite material.
 24. The BCIC of claim 22, wherein each of the atleast one container orifice is configured to allow the insertion/removalof a beverage container neck and cap, and is comprised of: at least onesegment that extends into the orifice, and at least one slice thatextends from the orifice.
 25. The BCIC of claim 22, further comprisingindicia on the container member, the indicia selected from the groupconsisting of advertising, promotional, instructional educational andimage.
 26. The BCIC of claim 22, wherein the indicia is applied by meansselected from the group consisting of printing, etching, and adhesion.27. The BCIC of claim 22, further comprising a liner within the BCIC.28. A beverage container interlocking carrier (BCIC) comprising: asubstantially flat container member having: an outer surface, an innersurface, a first end, a second end, a first edge, a second edge, atleast one circular container orifice comprising, at least one segmentinwardly angled and directed into the orifice, at least one slice thatextends from the orifice, a grasping member having: a first sideextending from the first end and having an open section, and a secondside extending from the second end and having an open section, abeverage container is placed on the container member, with a lowersurface of the beverage container resting within a cavity on thecontainer member, the container member is folded around the beveragecontainer with the beverage container neck entering the containerorifice, the container member is folded further, elongating thecontainer orifice into an elliptical shape with the at least one segmentinterfacing with a neck ring that circumvents the beverage containerneck, the elongation creating pressure that causes the segment tointerlock with the beverage container neck and neck ring.
 29. The BCICof claim 28, wherein the container member is made of a material that isselected from the group consisting of plastic, cardboard, paper, metaland composite material.
 30. The BCIC of claim 28, wherein the at leastone container orifice is configured to allow the insertion/removal of abeverage container neck and cap.
 31. The BCIC of claim 28, wherein thegrasping member is located at a substantial mid-point above the beveragecontainers.
 32. The BCIC of claim 28, wherein the grasping member islocated on a side of the beverage containers.
 33. The BCIC of claim 28,wherein the at least one container orifice is positioned to providespace for advertising or other indicia on the container member.
 34. TheBCIC of claim 28, further comprising at least one aperture positionedadjacent to and between each of the at least one orifice, wherein theaperture comprises an outward curving perimeter edge that tapers to aterminating edge, thereby creating a stylized cross.
 35. The BCIC ofclaim 28, further comprising at least one upper aperture positionedbelow the grasping member, wherein each upper aperture comprises abottom first section with perimeter edges tapering outward and a secondsection that extends across from a top termination, thereby creating astylized T-shape or triangle.
 36. The BCIC of claim 28, furthercomprising a plurality of cutouts in the two side edges of the containermember wherein each cutout curves inward to a point, with the curvescreating a semi-circular shape section with multiple sections along thecontainer member edges.
 37. A beverage container interlocking carrier(BCIC) comprising: a substantially flat container member having: anouter surface, an inner surface, a first end, a second end, a firstedge, a second edge, at least one strap extending from the first edge tothe second edge, at least one circular container orifice, with at leastone beverage container placed on the container member, a lower surfaceof each beverage container resting within a cavity on the containermember, the container member is folded upward around the beveragecontainer with the beverage container neck entering the containerorifice, the container member is folded further, elongating thecontainer orifice into an elliptical shape with the at least one segmentinterfacing with a neck ring that circumvents the beverage containerneck or a bottle cap, the elongation creating pressure that causes thesegment to interlock with the beverage container neck and neck ring orbottle cap, the fully folded container member lying substantially flaton an upper surface of the at least one beverage container, and thecontainer member secured in the flat configuration by the beveragecontainer interlocked within the container orifice, with removal of thebeverage containers from the BCIC accomplished by pulling upward on acorner edge of the container member, thereby releasing the beveragecontainers from the container orifices and allowing the container memberto be pulled off of and away from the beverage containers.
 38. The BCICof claim 37, wherein the container member is made of a material that isselected from the group consisting of plastic, cardboard, paper, metaland composite material.
 39. The BCIC of claim 37, wherein the at leastone strap is permanently attached to one side edge and removablyattached to an opposing side edge.
 40. The BCIC of claim 37, wherein theat least one strap is configured as a grasping member that allows aperson to grasp the strap and carry or lift the BCIC.
 41. The BCIC ofclaim 37, wherein the at least one container orifice is configured toallow the insertion/removal of a beverage container neck and cap, and iscomprised of: at least one segment that extends into the orifice, and atleast one slice that extends from the orifice.
 42. The BCIC of claim 37,wherein the at least one container orifice is configured to allow theinsertion/removal of a beverage container neck and cap, and is comprisedof: at least one segment that extends into the orifice, at least oneslice that extends from the perimeter edge of the orifice and isadjacent the slice and, a cutline that is adjacent a distal end of theslice, and that extends perpendicularly across the slice.
 43. The BCICof claim 37, wherein the at least one container orifice is positioned toprovide space for advertising or other indicia on the container member.44. The BCIC of claim 37, wherein a plurality of container orifices arelinearly arranged, equidistant from each other.
 45. The BCIC of claim37, wherein the number of beverage containers enclosed within the BCICis selected from the group consisting of four, six, eight, ten, twelve,eighteen, twenty-four and thirty-six.
 46. The BCIC of claim 37, furthercomprising at least one upper aperture positioned below the graspingmember, wherein each upper aperture comprises a bottom first sectionwith perimeter edges tapering outward and a second section that extendsacross from a top termination, thereby creating a stylized T-shape ortriangle.
 47. A beverage container interlocking carrier (BCIC)comprising: a substantially flat container member of material having: anouter surface, an inner surface, a first end, a second end, a first sideedge, a second side edge, at least one opening, a grasping memberhaving: a first side extending from the first end and having an opensection, and a second side extending from the second end and having anopen section, the container member is folded upward around contours ofmultiple beverage containers that are placed on the container member andthe two sides of the grasping member interface.
 48. The BCIC of claim47, further comprising securing means for securing the handle side edgestogether, the attachment means are selected from the group consisting ofadhesive, snap closure, male and female detents, interlock, clip, tape,hook and loop fastener, sliding rod through openings, buckle and strap.49. The BCIC of claim 47, further comprising means for securing at leasttwo BCICs together, the securing means selected from the groupcomprising at least one attachment tube, at least one strap tube and atleast one carrier strap.
 50. The BCIC of claim 47, further comprising atleast one adhesive bead for securing an individual beverage containerwithin the BCIC to at least one other beverage container.
 51. The BCICof claim 47, further comprising indented corners.
 52. A beveragecontainer interlocking carrier (BCIC) comprising: a substantially flatcontainer member having: an outer surface, an inner surface, a firstend, a second end, a first edge, a second edge, a plurality of containerorifices, a first horizontal strap extending from the first edge to thesecond edge, a second horizontal strap extending from the first edge tothe second edge and below the first strap, a vertical strap extendingfrom the substantial center of the first horizontal strap to thesubstantial center of the second horizontal strap, and a group ofcontainers is placed on the container member with a lower surface ofeach beverage container resting within a cavity on the container member,the container member is folded around the beverage container with onebeverage container neck entering one of the container orifices, as thecontainer member is folded the container orifice is elongated into anelliptical shape with at least one orifice segment interfacing with aneck ring that circumvents the beverage container neck or a bottle cap,the elongation creating pressure that causes the segment to interlockwith the beverage container neck and neck ring or bottle cap, the fullyfolded container member configured as a four surface structure havingthe two opposed side edges substantially open, and attachment meanssecuring the side ends, with removal of the beverage containers from theBCIC accomplished by pulling upward on a corner edge of the containermember first end and second end, thereby releasing the beveragecontainers from the container orifices and allowing the container memberto be pulled off of and away from the beverage containers.
 53. The BCICof claim 52, wherein the neck of each beverage container extendingupward through one of the container orifices, wherein the containermember is placed on top of a group of beverage containers with the firstend of the container member folded downward onto a first side of thegroup of beverage containers, wherein the second end of the containermember extends downward past an opposite second side of the group ofbeverage containers, wherein the second end is folded across a lowersurface of the group of beverage containers and then upward onto thefirst side such that the second end is configured on top of the firstend, wherein the attachment means secure the second end.
 54. The BCIC ofclaim 52, wherein the neck of each beverage container extending upwardthrough one of the container orifices, wherein the container member isplaced on top of a group of beverage containers with the first end ofthe container member folded downward onto a first side of the group ofbeverage containers, wherein the second end of the container memberextends downward past an opposite second side of the group of beveragecontainers, wherein the second end is folded across a lower surface ofthe group of beverage containers and then upward across the first sideand then folded downward onto an upper surface such that the second endis configured on top of the first end, wherein attachment means securethe second end.
 55. The BCIC of claim 52, wherein the first end of thecontainer member is folded upward and over onto a group of beveragecontainers with each container neck inserted into a container orifice,and then downward onto a second side of the carrier, wherein the secondend extends upward and is then folded downward across the previouslyfolded first end and terminating at a first side of the carrier,opposite the second side, wherein the attachment means secure the secondend.
 56. The BCIC of claim 52, wherein the container member is made of amaterial that is selected from the group consisting of plastic,cardboard, paper, metal and composite material.
 57. The BCIC of claim52, wherein the plurality of container orifices are comprised oftwenty-five orifices.
 58. The BCIC of claim 52, wherein the plurality ofcontainer orifices are comprised of fifty orifices.
 59. The BCIC ofclaim 52, wherein the horizontal straps and vertical strap areconfigured as grasping members that allow a person to grasp the strapsand carry or lift the BCIC.
 60. The BCIC of claim 52, wherein the atleast one container orifice is configured to allow the insertion/removalof a beverage container neck and cap, and is comprised of: at least onesegment that extends into the orifice, and at least one slice thatextends from the orifice.
 61. The BCIC of claim 52, wherein the at leastone container orifice is configured to allow the insertion/removal of abeverage container neck and cap, and is comprised of: at least onesegment that extends into the orifice, at least one slice that extendsfrom the perimeter edge of the orifice and is adjacent the slice and, acutline that is adjacent a distal end of the slice, and that extendsperpendicularly across the slice.
 62. The BCIC of claim 52, wherein thesegment having two sides that are inwardly angled and directed into theorifice.
 63. The BCIC of claim 52, wherein the container orifices areconfigured to provide space for advertising or other indicia on thecontainer member.
 64. The BCIC of claim 52, wherein the attachment meansare selected from the group consisting of an adhesive, at least one snapcloser, at least one male and female detent, a hook and loop fastener,at least one clip, a tab and slot, at least one hook, and at least oneplastic interlocking latch.
 65. The BCIC of claim 52, further comprisinga grasping opening adjacent the first end and second end of thecontainer member.
 66. The BCIC of claim 52, further comprising at leastone aperture positioned adjacent to and between each of the at least oneorifice, wherein the aperture comprises an outward curving perimeteredge that tapers to a terminating edge, thereby creating a stylizedcross.
 67. A beverage container interlocking carrier (BCIC) comprising:a substantially flat container member having: an outer surface, an innersurface, a first end, a second end, a first edge, a second edge, fiftycontainer orifices, a first horizontal strap extending from the firstedge to the second edge, a second horizontal strap extending from thefirst edge to the second edge and below the first strap, a verticalstrap extending from the substantial center of the first horizontalstrap to the substantial center of the second horizontal strap, andeight beverage container is placed on the container member with a lowersurface of each beverage container resting within a cavity on thecontainer member, the container member is folded around the eightbeverage containers with one beverage container neck entering one of thecontainer orifices, as the container member is folded the containerorifice is elongated into an elliptical shape with at least one orificesegment interfacing with a neck ring that circumvents the beveragecontainer neck or a bottle cap, the elongation creating pressure thatcauses the segment to interlock with the beverage container neck andneck ring or bottle cap, the fully folded container member configured asa four surface structure having the two opposed side edges substantiallyopen, and attachment means securing the side ends, with removal of thebeverage containers from the BCIC accomplished by pulling upward on acorner edge of the container member first end and second end, therebyreleasing the beverage containers from the container orifices andallowing the container member to be pulled off of and away from thebeverage containers.
 68. The BCIC of claim 67, wherein the neck of eachbeverage container extending upward through one of the containerorifices, wherein the container member is placed on top of a group ofeight beverage containers with the first end of the container memberfolded downward onto a first side of the group of beverage containers,wherein the second end of the container member extends downward past anopposite second side of the group of beverage containers, wherein thesecond end is folded across a lower surface of the group of beveragecontainers and then upward onto the first side such that the second endis configured on top of the first end, wherein the attachment meanssecure the second end.
 69. The BCIC of claim 67, wherein the neck ofeach beverage container extending upward through one of the containerorifices, wherein the container member is placed on top of a group ofbeverage containers with the first end of the container member foldeddownward onto a first side of the group of beverage containers, whereinthe second end of the container member extends downward past an oppositesecond side of the group of beverage containers, wherein the second endis folded across a lower surface of the group of beverage containers andthen upward across the first side and then folded downward onto an uppersurface such that the second end is configured on top of the first end,wherein attachment means secure the second end.
 70. The BCIC of claim67, wherein the first end of the container member is folded upward andover onto a group of beverage containers with each container neckinserted into a container orifice, and then downward onto a second sideof the carrier, wherein the second end extends upward and is then foldeddownward across the previously folded first end and terminating at afirst side of the carrier, opposite the second side, wherein theattachment means secure the second end.
 71. The BCIC of claim 67,wherein the container member is made of a material that is selected fromthe group consisting of plastic, cardboard, paper, metal and compositematerial.
 72. The BCIC of claim 67, wherein the horizontal straps andvertical strap are configured as grasping members that allow a person tograsp the straps and carry or lift the BCIC.
 73. The BCIC of claim 67,wherein the at least one container orifice is configured to allow theinsertion/removal of a beverage container neck and cap, and is comprisedof: at least one segment that extends into the orifice, and at least oneslice that extends from the orifice.
 74. The BCIC of claim 67, whereinthe at least one container orifice is configured to allow theinsertion/removal of a beverage container neck and cap, and is comprisedof: at least one segment that extends into the orifice, at least oneslice that extends from the perimeter edge of the orifice and isadjacent the slice and, a cutline that is adjacent a distal end of theslice, and that extends perpendicularly across the slice.
 75. The BCICof claim 67, wherein the container orifices are configured to providespace for advertising or other indicia on the container member,
 76. TheBCIC of claim 67, wherein the attachment means are selected from thegroup consisting of an adhesive, at least one, snap closer, at least onemale and female detent, a hook and loop fastener, at least one clip, atab and slot, at least one hook, and at least one plastic interlockinglatch.
 77. The BCIC of claim 67, further comprising a grasping openingadjacent the first end and second end of the container member.
 78. TheBCIC of claim 67, further comprising at least one aperture positionedadjacent to and between each of the at least one orifice, wherein theaperture comprises an outward curving perimeter edge that tapers to aterminating edge, thereby creating a stylized cross.
 79. The BCIC ofclaim 67, further comprising scanning means that facilitates automatedcounting or other identification of beverage containers within thecarrier or on the container member when the member is in an unfolded,flat configuration.